Prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module

ABSTRACT

A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module is selectively movable by an operator into and out of operative association with one or more pump rotors. The module includes a housing which supports two or more flexible conduits, which together define a prearranged fluid circuit. Portions of the flexible fluid conduits are outwardly disposed from the housing in upright, freestanding positions, even when the module is out of operative association with the pump rotors. The upright portions are purposely arranged relative to each other to facilitate only a particular operative relationship between the fluid circuit and the pump rotors when the module is subsequently moved into operative association therewith.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 843,223, filed Oct. 18,1977, now abandoned.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and incorporates herein by reference,U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,629, issued Jan. 19, 1980 and entitled METHOD ANDAPPARATUS FOR PROCESSING BLOOD and U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,172, issued Mar.27, 1979 and entitled CENTRIFUGAL LIQUID PROCESSING SYSTEM.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a monitor and fluid circuit assemblyutilized in an apparatus for processing whole blood and morespecifically to a compact disposable monitor and fluid circuit assemblyfor collecting a desired blood component such as platelets.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Heretofore various apparatus have been proposed for processing wholeblood and separating the same into the various components thereof. Suchprior art apparatus have involved intervivos blood processing in whichwhole blood is taken from a live donor, separated within a processingsystem into its constituent components and a desired component issegregated for collection from the donor, followed by returning theremaining blood fluid to the donor. Typically, the blood components thatare separated are plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells andplatelets. An apparatus and process which are particularly adapted forseparating platelets from whole blood are described hereinafter. Such aprocess is commonly referred to as plateletpheresis.

Apparatus for carrying out intervivos blood processing that have beenutilized in the past, have typically included a separation chamberwithin which whole blood from a donor is subjected to a centrifugalforce. This is typically accomplished in a centrifuge device. Because ofdifferences in densities the various blood components will congregate indifferent zones at different radial distances from the center ofrotation of the separation chamber. Then, collection ports in thechamber are utilized to remove the blood components from the variouszones in the separation chamber for storage or recirculation.

Heretofore such devices have required various fluid couplings andpressure monitor devices which must be thoroughly cleaned after each useand/or parts of the fluid system or circuit must be replaced.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the presentinvention provides a monitor and fluid circuit assembly which can beeasily mounted on and connected to a blood processing apparatus andeasily detached therefrom for separation of a blood component collectionbag, e.g., a platelet bag. Also the assembly is made of inexpeniveplastic materials such that the assembly minus the collection bag can bediscarded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuitmodule which is selectively movable by an operator into and out ofoperative association with one or more pump rotors. The module comprisesan array of flexible conduits defining a prearranged fluid circuit,portions of which are carried within the confines of a hollow housing. Apreselected portion of some of the conduits extends outwardly of thehousing in a predetermined arcuate configuration resiliently biasedtoward an upright, freestanding position when the module is out ofoperative association with a pump rotor. This arrangement accommodatesoperative contact between the outwardly bowed portion and a pump motorwhen the module is moved into operative association with the pump rotor.The outwardly bowed, freestanding portions are arranged relative to eachother to further facilitate only the desired operative contact with thepump rotors.

For example, in one embodiment, a pair of outwardly bowed, freestandingportions are concentrically positioned to accommodate simultaneousoperative contact with a single pump rotor.

In another embodiment, a pair of outwardly bowed, freestanding portionsare positioned in a spaced, noncontiguous relationship to accommodateseparate operative contact with a spaced pair of pump rotors.

By virtue of the invention, the possibilities of an incorrectly arrangedflow system or an incorrect pump connection are all but eliminated. Theinvention significantly simplifies the handling of fluid circuits,particularly complex ones, such as those associated with bloodprocessing assemblies. In one embodiment, the module includes, as anintegral part thereof, various containers of fluid and/or various fluidreceiving receptacles. This arrangement provides for an essentially"closed" fluid flow system. This further simplifies the handling ofcomplex fluid systems and at the same time protects significant portionsof the fluid flow system from contamination with the atmosphere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus with which the monitor andfluid circuit assembly of the present invention is used.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of theapparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the monitor and fluid circuit assembly ofthe present invention removed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block flow diagram of the fluid circuit of theassembly.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the monitor and fluid circuit assemblyof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the monitor devicesof the assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, a blood processingapparatus is shown in, and generally identified by the reference numeral10 in, FIG. 1. The apparatus 10 includes the monitor and fluid circuitassembly or module of the present invention which is fully shown in, andidentified by reference numeral 11 in, FIG. 4. The apparatus 10 furtherincludes a centrifuge device hidden from view within the cabinet 12. Thecentrifuge device is shown schematically in FIG. 3 and identifiedtherein by reference numeral 14. For further details of the constructionand operation of the centrifuge device 14, reference is made toco-pending U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,172 filed, entitled: CENTRIFUGAL LIQUIDPROCESSING SYSTEM, the disclosure of which patent is incorporated hereinby reference.

The monitor and fluid circuit assembly 11 includes a fluid circuit whichis generally identified by the reference numeral 16 in FIG. 1 and whichis best shown schematically in FIG. 3. As will be described in detail inconnection with the description of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fluid circuit 16includes a plurality of flexible plastic tubings which form fluidcouplings between various parts of the fluid circuit 16. These tubingsare received through a holder or housing 18 which forms part of assembly11 and which has monitor devices mounted therein.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, several loops of the tubing (54,74,102 inFIGS. 3 and 4) are received over, in tight contact with, and form partof two peristaltic pumps 20 and 22. As will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter, the pump 20 is referred to as a first or whole bloodpump and the pump 22 is referred to as a second or plasma pump. Thewhole blood pump 20 is utilized for withdrawing whole blood from a donorwhereas the plasma pump 22 is utilized to move plasma from one chamberto another chamber within the centrifuge device 14 (FIG. 3).

The apparatus 10 also includes a display panel 24 including severalwindows for indicating information useful to an operator. In thisrespect, an alarm window 26 indicates a malfunction of the apparatus 10or a condition occurring within the fluid circuit 16 of the apparatus10. Also there is a window 28 indicating the blood component which isbeing collected, a window 30 indicating volume processed and end pointand a window 32 indicating the elapsed time of operation of theapparatus 10, the flow rate of the whole blood and the flow rate ofplatelet rich plasma.

A number of push buttons 41-47 are provided for controlling variousphases of operation of the apparatus 10, as well as windows 48 and 49 onthe display panel 24 for indicating the hematocrit of the donor.

Additionally, the apparatus 10 includes a manual control panel 50 which,as best shown in FIG. 2, includes a plurality of knobs and switches formanual operation of the apparatus 10. The legends on the manual controlpanel 50 generally identify the various toggle switches and push buttonswitches, the purpose of which will become apparent from the detaileddescription of the operation of the apparatus 10 set forth below.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is illustrated therein a block schematicdiagram of the fluid circuit 16. As shown, the circuit 16 includes afirst fluid coupling or tubing 54 adapted to be coupled to a vein in onearm of a donor 52 by means of a hypodermic needle 56 which is rejectedinto the arm. If desired a fluid clamp 58 (shown schematically) can beprovided on the tubing 54. The first tubing 54 has associated therewitha solenoid operated clamp 60 forming valve #1. The tubing 54 then hasseries coupled thereto an occluded vein monitor device 62 with anassociated sensor 63. Then, the first tubing 54 extends over and formspart of the peristaltic pump 20 and is series coupled to a high pressuremonitor device 64 with an associated sensor 65. From the monitor device64 the first tubing 54 extends into the centrifuge device 14 and to thebottom inlet of a first compartment or receptacle 66 which is identifiedas a whole blood bag and which defines therein a whole blood separationchamber.

The receptacle 66 has a first outlet 68 at the center thereof adjacent azone in the receptacle 66 where platelet rich plasma congregates.Receptacle 66 also has two outlets 70 and 72 at the upper cornersthereof where red blood cells congregate. Outlet 68 provides not only anoutlet for platelet rich plasma but also a return inlet for plateletrich plasma which is "contaminated" (mixed) with red blood cells whenthere is a spillover of red blood cells out of outlet 68.

The outlet 68 of the first receptacle 66 is coupled to a second fluidcoupling or tubing 74 which extends to a loop 75 thereof locatedexterior of the centrifuge device 14 and which loop extends about andforms part of the peristaltic pump 22. Also, positioned adjacent atransparent or translucent section of the loop 75 which extends out ofthe centrifuge device 14 is a spill detector device 76 which is anoptical sensor for sensing a spillover of red blood cells mixed withplatelet rich plasma. The device 76 includes a light emitting diode(LED) such as an infra red LED sold by Texas Instrument under typenumber TIL 32 and a phototransistor, such as a phototransistor sold byTexas Instrument under type number TIL 81. The second tubing 74 thengoes back into the centrifuge device 14 and is coupled to an inlet 78 ofa second compartment or receptacle 80 which is identified as a plateletbag defining a chamber therein where platelets are separated fromplasma.

A third fluid coupling or tubing 82 is connected to the outlets 70 and72 of the first receptacle 66 and to the donor through a high/lowpressure monitor device 84 with associated sensor 85 and an air bubbletrap/filter 86 and associated air bubble sensor 87 which monitor device84 and filter 86 are coupled in series in the third tubing 82. Alsoanother solenoid clamp 88 is associated with a portion 89 of the tubing82 coming out of the air bubble trap/filter 86 and forms valve #3. Thesensor 87 can be optical or ultrasonic.

The end of third tubing 82 is connected to a hypodermic needle 90 forinjection into the other arm of the donor and, if desired, a fluid clamp92 (shown schematically) can be provided in tubing 82 ahead of theneedle 90.

The fluid circuit 16 further includes a fourth fluid coupling or tubing94 which is coupled with an outlet 96 of the second receptacle 80 andjoins a fifth fluid coupling or tubing 127 in which a solenoid operatedclamp 98 forming valve #6 is located and which forms a junction 99 withthe third tubing 82.

The fluid circuit 16 also includes a first container 100 ofanti-coagulant such as Acid Citrose Dextrose (ACD) which is coupled by afirst auxiliary fluid coupling or tubing 102 about (and forming part of)the peristaltic pump 20 and through a solenoid operated clamp 104defining valve #2 to a junction 105 with the first tubing 54 between theneedle 56 and valve #1.

With this arrangement of the first tubing 54 and the first auxiliarytubing 102 passing over the same peristaltic pump 20, the mixing ofanti-coagulant with whole blood and the withdrawing of whole blood fromthe donor is achieved essentially simultaneously. Also, the ratio of thecross sectional area of the interior of the tubing 54 to the crosssectional area of the interior of the tubing 102 is chosen to obtain adesired mixture of anti-coagulant to whole blood. This ratio ispreferably 8 to 1 thereby to obtain an 8 to 1 ratio of whole blood toanti-coagulant.

The apparatus 10 and fluid circuit 16 further include a second container108 of saline solution which is connected by means of a second auxiliarycoupling or tubing 110 through a drip chamber 112 and a solenoidoperated clamp 114 defining valve #4 to the first tubing 54 at ajunction 115 between solenoid operated clamp 60 and the occluded veinmonitor device 62. The container 108 of saline solution is also coupledby means of a third auxiliary fluid coupling or tubing 118 through asolenoid clamp 120 forming valve #5 to the top of the air bubbletrap/filter 86.

The apparatus 10 and the fluid circuit 16 thereof further include athird receptacle or compartment 124 located outside of the centrifugedevice 14 for collecting plasma. This receptacle 124 is coupled to thefourth tubing 94 at junction 129 by branch coupling or tubing 126through a solenoid operated clamp 128 forming solenoid valve #7.

The operation of the apparatus 10 for processing whole blood through thefluid circuit 16 will now be briefly described with reference to FIG. 3.

First of all, a donor is chosen who will be a healthy person donatingplatelets and who will be treated much like a blood donor. When theapparatus 10 is ready, two venipunctures will be made, one in each arm,with needles 56 and 90.

Valve #1 is opened first to allow saline to purge the input needle 56prior to injection in the donor. Then valves #1, #2, #5 and #7 areclosed. Valves #3, #4 and #6 are open.

Then, saline is pumped by the first pump 20 through the fluid circuit 16until no more air bubbles are sensed by the air bubble sensor 87, i.e.,until saline is sensed. Next, the second pump 22 is started and salineis pumped through the platelet receptacle 80. Since the centrifugedevice 14 is not running at this time, the receptacles 66 and 80 are notfilled to capacity. Air is expelled through the needle 90.

After a short time, e.g., one to five minutes the plateletreceptacle/bag 80 will be filled, all air expelled and saline fills theentire system, i.e., fluid circuit 16 up to valve #3. When saline issensed by detector 87, valve #3 is closed and valve #5 is opened. Aftera period of recirculation of saline, pumps 20 and 22 are stopped andvalve #3 is opened.

Parenthetically, during this priming operation, the air bubble sensor 87is checked when air bubbles are flowing through the air bubbletrap/filter 86 to make sure that sensor 87 is working properly and thenlater, sensor 87 is checked to make sure there are no more bubbles afterthe system is filled with saline.

Now the needles 56 and 90 are inserted into the arms of the donor 52 andvalves #1, #2, #5 and #6 are open and valves #3 and #7 are closed.

With the needles 56 and 90 connected to the veins of a donor and thesystem full of saline, the pumps 20 and 22 are started and whole bloodis pumped into the system and into the centrifuge device 14.

It will be noted that the tubings 54, 74, 82 and 94 extending into thecentrifuge device 14 may be combined in an umbilicus (139 in FIG. 4)which is rotated at a speed 1/2 the speed of the centrifuge device 14 sothat twisting is avoided and no fluid seals are required. Thisarrangement and operation of the centrifuge device 14 is more fullydescribed in the patent entitled: CENTRIFUGAL LIQUID PROCESSING SYSTEMreferred to above.

When approximately 120 milliliters of whole blood has been pumped intothe fluid circuit 16, most of the saline solution will have been pumpedback into the container 108. Valve #3 is now opened so that processedblood fluid mixed with some saline solution can now be returned to thedonor.

Also, if the plasma collect button had been pushed, valve #6 is closedand valve #7 opened and a desired amount of plasma will be collectedwhile whole blood is being processed through the fluid circuit 16 afterwhich valve #7 is closed and valve #6 is opened.

After starting pumps 20 and 22 no further operator attention is requireduntil the end of the run.

As the whole blood is being drawn into the fluid circuit 16 and into theseparation chamber in the receptacle 66, the centrifugal force acting onthe receptacle 66 causes separation of the components of the wholeblood. In this respect, platelet rich plasma congregates in a zone atthe top of the receptacle 66 adjacent to outlet 68 and red blood cellscongregate at the upper corners of the receptacle 66 adjacent outlets 70and 72. This is achieved by the particular construction and orientationof the receptacle 66 which is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No.4,146,172, referred to above.

In one working example of the apparatus 10, the volumetric displacementof pump 20 is started at an initial speed and increased by 1 milliliterper minute after each 120 milliliters of whole blood, has been processedthrough the fluid circuit 16 without a spillover of red blood cells.However, when a spillover of red blood cells from the receptacle 66 issensed by the spill detector device 76, pump 22 is stopped and thenreversed to return the mixture of platelet rich plasma and red bloodcells to receptacle 66. Then the speed of the first pump 20 is decreasedby one milliliter per minute and the speed of the pump 22 is changedproportionately. Both pumps are then run in the normal direction(forward) until another 120 milliliters of whole blood is processedwithout a spillover. If a spillover is not detected by the device 76,the speed of the second pump 22 is then increased by 0.25 millilitersper minute for each 120 milliliters of blood processed without aspillover until a spillover is detected. Then when a spillover isdetected, the pump 22 is again stopped and reversed to return thespillover mixture to receptacle 66. Next the volumetric displacement ofthe second pump 22 is decreased by 0.25 milliliters per minute, the pump22 speed reversed back to forward speed and this process repeated untilthe end point of the run is reached. By the end point is meant that theprocessing of approximately 3 liters of whole blood has been completed.Operated in this manner, the apparatus 10 provides a highly efficientand effective separation of platelet rich plasma from whole blood.

Platelet rich plasma which is withdrawn from the receptacle 66 is passedthrough the platelet receptacle or bag 80. In view of the centrifugalforce acting on the bag 80, platelet sedimentation on the side of thebag 80 takes place while plasma flows through the bag 80. This flow isenhanced by pinching the bag 80 in the center thereof as indicated bythe wavy line 130 in FIG. 3. This results in a flow of plasma throughthe bag or receptacle 80 in the manner indicated by the arrows shown inFIG. 3.

The plasma that exits from the bag 80 flows through the tubing 94 andrecombines at the junction 99 with the red blood cell rich blood flowingthrough the tubing 82. The recombined platelet poor blood is then passedthrough the high/low pressure monitor 84 and air bubble trap/filter 86and back into the donor 52 through the needle 90.

Once a desired amount of whole blood, i.e., 3 liters of whole blood, hasbeen processed, valves #1 and #2 are closed and valve #4 is opened toallow saline to flow into the system, i.e., fluid circuit 16. The salinewill then purge the remaining amount of blood in the fluid circuit 16and push it back into the donor. Then after a sufficient amount ofsaline has been pumped into the system the centrifuge device 14 isstopped. About 3 milliliters of blood fluid is left in the system andcan be returned to the donor by allowing a short overrun of the pump 20.The cabinet 12 now can be opened to sever tubings 74 and 94 such as witha heating element as indicated by breaks 131 and 132 shown in FIG. 3.The sealed platelet receptacle/bag 80 with a minimum of plasma thereinis taken out of the centrifuge device 14 and stored for use.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated therein the monitor andfluid circuit assembly 11 of the present invention. As shown thisassembly 11 includes the holder or housing 18 through which all tubingsexcept tubing 110 are received and held. As shown first and firstauxiliary tubings 54 and 102 extend into the bottom of the holder 118and perpendicularly out the top thereof to form outwardly bowed loopswhich are juxtaposed concentrically with each other. These loopsextending from the top of the holder 18 of the tubings 54 and 102 areresiliently biased toward an upright freestanding position when theholder 18 is out of operative association with the apparatus 10. Whenthe holder 18 is moved into operative contact with the apparatus 10, theconcentric freestanding loops of the tubings 54 and 102 aresimultaneously received over, and form part of, the peristaltic pump 20.In a similar manner the second tubing 74 extends into the bottom of theholder 18 and perpendicularly out the top of the holder 18 to form theoutwardly bowed loop 75 and then passes back to the holder 18. This loop75 is resiliently biased toward an upright freestanding position whenthe holder 18 is out of operative assocation with the apparatus 10. Theloop 75 is positioned in a spaced, noncontiguous relationship with eachof the concentric loops of the tubings 54 and 102 so that, when theholder 18 is moved into operative association with the apparatus 10, theloop 75 is received over, and forms part of, the second pump 22 which isspaced from the pump 20. The valves #1-#7 are schematically shown byblocks. It will be understood that these valves #1-#7 are actuallysolenoid operated clamps as described above.

The pressure monitor devices 62, 64 and 84 are identical and only onewill be described in connection with the breakaway view of one deviceshown in FIG. 5. As shown the device 62, 64 and 84 includes a flowthrough chamber 133 series connected in the associated tubing 54 or 84and an air filled closed chamber 184 having a flexible diaphram 135forming part of one wall of the flow through chamber and an outer wall136 which is situated adjacent the associated sensor 63, 65 or 85 whichare pressure transducers and which sense changes in pressure on theouter wall 136. The monitor devices 63, 65 or 85 and air bubbletrap/filter 86 are all mounted in holder 18 in the positions shown inFIG. 4. Also each of the monitor devices 62, 64 and 84 has a hollowcylindrical protuberance extending therefrom for fitting about the sideof a mating solid cylindrical pressure sensor 63, 65 or 85 which areshown in FIG. 2 where the holder 18 has been removed and not shown inFIG. 4 which only shows the assembly 11. Also, the transparent sectionof tubing 75 which is generally identified by reference numeral 137 inFIG. 4 will be positioned adjacent sensor 76 and the transparent sectionof the air bubble trap/filter 86 will be positioned adjacent the sensor87 when the holder 18 is positioned on the upper portion of theapparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 and the clamps 19 are moved to secureholder 18 in place. Note also that a sensor 138 (FIG. 2) of theapparatus 10 will sense when the holder 18 is in place.

The first, second, third, and fourth tubings 64, 74, 82 and 94 comingout of the holder 18 are passed through an umbilicus 139 which isreceived in a rotating holder of the centrifuge device 14 as describedabove.

The first and second containers 100 and 108 can form part of theassembly 18 and be secured to the tubings 102, 110 and 118 as shown orthe assembly can merely include injection type coupling devices at theouter end of each of the tubings 102, 110 and 118 adapted for connectionto one of the containers 100 and 108. Such a coupling device is showninjected through a membrane at the mouth of the container 108 and isgenerally identified by the reference numeral 140. Also these containersare typically made of a flexible, disposable, plastic material.

It will be understood that the holder 18 is made of an inexpensive anddisposable material, e.g., plastic as are the tubings and thereceptacles 66, 80 and 124. Likewise the monitor devices 62, 64 and 84are made of an inexpensive plastic material so they can be readilydisposed of once the assembly 11 has been utilized in the processing ofwhole blood to collect platelets and the platelet receptacle or bag 80has been removed.

It will be understood that, excluding the holder 18, the assembly 11constitutes the entire fluid circuit 16 of the apparatus 10. Also, withthe arrangement of the monitor devices 62, 64 and 84 in the holder 18,as well as the positioning of the light transmitting tubing segment 137and a light transmitting portion of a wall of the air bubble trap/filter86 in the holder 18 as shown, a simple and compact monitor and fluidcircuit assembly is provided which can be easily mounted in place bymanipulation of the pivotal clamps 19 with the loops of the tubings 54,75 and 102 received over, and forming part of, the peristaltic pump 20and 22 and with the receptacles 66 and 80 inserted in the rotor of thecentrifuge device 14 of the apparatus 10. Then when the processing of apredetermined amount of whole blood, e.g., 3 liters of whole blood, iscompleted the whole assembly 11 can be removed from the apparatus 10 andthe tubings 94 and 74 above the receptacle 80 can be severed and sealedsuch as with a heating element at breaks 131 and 132 so that theplatelet receptacle 80 can be removed from the assembly 11 and storedfor future use.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the monitor andfluid circuit assembly 11 of the present invention has a number ofadvantages some of which have been described above and others of whichare inherent in the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the inventionis only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

I claim:
 1. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleselectively movable by an operator into and out of operative associationwith a pump rotor, said module comprisingflexible first conduit meansand flexible first auxiliary conduit means each defining a fluid pathwayadapted for communication with a source of fluid, and housing meanshaving sidewalls peripherally defining a hollow interior and includingmeans on said sidewalls for supporting a portion of each of said conduitmeans within the confines of said hollow interior and for supportinganother portion of each of said conduit means, when said module is outof operative association with the pump rotor, in a predetermined arcuateconfiguration outwardly bowed from one of said sidewalls and resilientlybiased toward an upright freestanding position generally perpendicularto said one sidewall with said outwardly bowed portion of one of saidconduit means concentrically positioned closely adjacent to saidoutwardly bowed portion of the other of said conduit means toaccommodate simultaneous operative contact with the pump rotor when saidmodule is moved into operative association therewith.
 2. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 1and furtherincluding a first fluid receiving receptacle, wherein said first conduitmeans includes an outlet portion extending outwardly of said hollowinterior downstream of said associated outwardly bowed portion andintegrally joined in flow communication with said first fluid receivingreceptacle, and wherein said first fluid receiving receptacle forms anintegral part of said module.
 3. A prepackaged, self-contained fluidcircuit module according to claim 2and further including second fluidconduit means defining a fluid pathway communicating with said fluidreceiving receptacle for conducting fluid therefrom, and wherein saidsupport means is operative for supporting a portion of said secondconduit means within the confines of said hollow interior and forsupporting another portion of said second conduit means, when saidmodule is out of operative association with the pump rotor, in apredetermined arcuate configuration extending through and outwardlybowed from said one sidewall and resiliently biased toward an uprightfreestanding position generally perpendicular to said one sidewall andspaced in a noncontiguous relationship from said outwardly bowedportions of said first conduit means and first auxiliary conduit meansto accommodate, when said module is moved into operative associationwith the one pump rotor, contact with another pump rotor spaced from theone pump rotor.
 4. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleselectively movable by an operator into and out of operative associationwith spaced pump rotors, said module comprisingflexible first and secondconduit means each defining a fluid pathway adapted for communicationwith a source of fluid, and housing means having sidewalls peripherallydefining a hollow interior and including means on said sidewalls forsupporting a portion of each of said conduit means within the confinesof said hollow interior and for supporting another portion of each ofsaid conduit means, when said module is out of operative associationwith the pump rotors, in a predetermined arcuate configuration outwardlybowed from one of said sidewalls and resiliently biased toward anupright freestanding position generally perpendicular to said onesidewall with said outwardly bowed portions of said first and secondconduit means positioned in a spaced, noncontiguous relationship alongsaid one sidewall to accommodate separate operative contact with thespaced pump rotors when said module is moved into operative associationtherewith.
 5. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleaccording to claim 4and further including flexible first auxiliaryconduit means defining a fluid pathway adapted for communication with asource of fluid, and wherein said support means is further operative forsupporting a portion of said first auxiliary conduit means within theconfines of said hollow interior and for supporting another portion ofsaid first auxiliary conduit means, when said module is out of operativeassociation with the pump rotors, in a predetermined arcuateconfiguration outwardly bowed from said one sidewall and resilientlybiased toward an upright freestanding position generally perpendicularto said one sidewall and concentrically positioned adjacent to saidoutwardly bowed portion of said first conduit means to accommodatesimultaneous operative contact with one of the pump rotors when saidmodule is moved into operative association therewith.
 6. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid conduit module according to claim 1 or 4 or5wherein said support means includes means on said one sidewall defininga pair of adjacently spaced apertures associated with each of saidconduit means and through which said other portion of said associatedconduit means extends to resiliently bend said flexible conduit meansand form an upright loop defining said resiliently biased outwardlybowed portion.
 7. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleaccording to claim 1 or 5wherein said first conduit means and said firstauxiliary conduit means are joined to open communication between saidrespective fluid pathways.
 8. A prepackaged, self-contained fluidcircuit module according to claim 7wherein said junction of said firstauxiliary conduit means and said first conduit means is located upstreamof said outwardly bowed portion of said first conduit means anddownstream of said outwardly bowed portion of said first auxiliaryconduit means.
 9. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleaccording to claim 1 or 5and further including a first sealed containerof fluid, wherein said first auxiliary conduit means includes an inletportion extending outwardly of said hollow interior upstream of saidassociated outwardly bowed portion and integrally joined in flowcommunication with said first sealed container, and wherein said firstsealed container comprises the source of fluid for said first auxiliaryconduit means and forms an integral part of said module.
 10. Aprepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 1 or5and further including flexible second auxiliary conduit means defininga fluid pathway adapted for communication with a source of fluid andcommunicating with said first conduit means upstream of said outwardlybowed portion thereof.
 11. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuitmodule according to claim 10and further including a second sealedcontainer of fluid, wherein said second auxiliary conduit means includesan inlet portion integrally joined in flow communication with saidsecond sealed container, and wherein said second sealed containercomprises the source of fluid for said second auxiliary conduit meansand forms an integral part of said module.
 12. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 1 or 5wherein thecross-sectional area of the interior of said first conduit means differsfrom the cross-sectional area of the interior of said first auxiliaryconduit means.
 13. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleaccording to claim 4and further including a first fluid receivingreceptacle, wherein said first conduit means includes an outlet portionextending outwardly of said hollow interior downstream of saidassociated outwardly bowed portion and integrally joined in flowcommunication with said first fluid receiving receptacle, and whereinsaid first fluid receiving receptacle forms an integral part of saidmodule.
 14. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module accordingto claim 13and further including flexible third conduit means defining afluid pathway communicating with said first fluid receiving receptacle,and wherein said support means is further operative for supporting aportion of said third conduit means within the confines of said hollowinterior of said housing means.
 15. A prepackaged, self-contained fluidcircuit module according to claim 14and further including a chamberdefining air bubble trap, wherein said housing means includes means forsupporting said air bubble trap within the confines of said hollowinterior, and wherein said third conduit means is joined in flowcommunication with said air bubble trap and includes an outlet portionextending from said bubble trap outwardly of said hollow interior.
 16. Aprepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim15and further including third auxiliary conduit means defining a fluidpath having one end joined in flow communication with said air bubbletrap and another end spaced therefrom, and wherein said support means isoperative for supporting said third auxiliary conduit means within theconfines of said housing interior with said other end of said thirdauxiliary conduit means extending outwardly of said one sidewall.
 17. Aprepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim16and further including a sealed container of fluid, wherein saidoutwardly extending end of said third auxiliary conduit means isintegrally joined in flow communication with said sealed container offluid, and wherein said sealed container forms an integral part of saidmodule.
 18. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module accordingto claim 15and further including a filter supported within said airbubble trap in flow communication with said third conduit means.
 19. Aprepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim15wherein said chamber defining said air bubble trap is translucent, andwherein said housing means includes means forming a window for exposingsaid translucent chamber to operator view.
 20. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 13and furtherincluding a second fluid receiving receptacle, wherein said secondconduit means includes an outlet portion extending outwardly of saidhollow interior downstream of said associated outwardly bowed portionand integrally joined in flow communication with said second fluidreceiving receptacle, and wherein said second fluid receiving receptacleforms an integral part of said module.
 21. A prepackaged, self-containedfluid circuit module according to claim 20and further including flexiblefourth conduit means defining a fluid pathway communicating with saidsecond fluid receiving receptacle.
 22. A prepackaged, self-containedfluid circuit module according to claim 13 or 20 or 21wherein saidsecond conduit means includes an inlet portion extending outwardly ofsaid hollow interior upstream of said associated outwardly bowed portionand integrally joined in flow communication with said first fluidreceiving receptacle, and wherein said first fluid receiving receptaclecomprises the source of fluid for said second conduit means and forms anintegral part of said module.
 23. A prepackaged, self-contained fluidcircuit module according to claim 21and further including a third fluidreceiving receptacle, wherein said fourth conduit means includes anoutlet portion integrally joned in flow communication with said thirdfluid receiving receptacle, and wherein said third fluid receivingreceptacle forms an integral part of said module.
 24. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 23and furtherincluding flexible third conduit means defining a fluid pathwaycommunicating with said first fluid receiving receptacle, and furtherincluding a flexible sleeve commonly enclosing a portion of each of saidfirst, second, third and fourth conduit means adjacent to saidrespective fluid receiving receptacles, said enclosed portions of saidfirst, second, third and fourth conduit means thereby forming anumbilicus carried outwardly of said housing means.
 25. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 24wherein saidumbilicus extends outwardly from said sidewall of said housing meansoppositely spaced from said one sidewall.
 26. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module selectively movable by an operatorinto and out of operative association with spaced pump rotors, saidmodule comprisingfirst and second fluid receiving receptacles, flexiblefirst conduit means having an inlet portion adapted for communicationwith a source of fluid and an outlet portion joined in flowcommunication with said fluid receiving receptacle, flexible secondconduit means having an inlet portion joined in flow communication withsaid first fluid receiving receptacle and an outlet portion joined inflow communication with said second fluid receiving receptacle, andhousing means having sidewalls peripherally defining a hollow interiorand including means on said sidewalls for supporting a portion of eachof said first and second conduit means intermediate said respectiveinlet and outlet portions thereof within the confines of said hollowinterior and for supporting another portion of each of said conduitmeans, when said module is out of operative association with the pumprotors, intermediate said respective inlet and outlet portions thereofin a predetermined arcuate configuration outwardly bowed from one ofsaid sidewalls and resiliently biased toward an upright freestandingposition generally perpendicular to said one sidewall with saidoutwardly bowed portions of said first and second conduit meanspositioned in a spaced, noncontinguous relationship along said onesidewall to accommodate separate operative contact with the spaced pumprotors when said module is moved into operative association therewith.27. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according toclaim 26and further including flexible first auxiliary conduit meanshaving an inlet portion adapted for communication with a source of fluidand an outlet portion joined in flow communication with said firstconduit means upstream of said outwardly bowed portion thereof, andwherein said support means is further operative for supporting a portionof said first auxiliary conduit means intermediate said inlet and outletportions thereof within the confines of said hollow interior with asection of said first auxiliary conduit means upstream of said junctionwith said first conduit means supported, when said module is out ofoperative association with the pump rotors, in a predetermined arcuateconfiguration outwardly bowed from said one sidewall and resilientlybiased toward an upright freestanding position generally perpendicularto said outwardly bowed portion of said first conduit means toaccommodate simultaneous operative contact with one of the pump rotorswhen said module is moved into operative association therewith.
 28. Aprepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim27and further including a first sealed container of fluid, wherein saidinlet portion of said first auxiliary conduit means is integrally joinedin flow communication with said first sealed container, and wherein saidfirst sealed container comprises the source of fluid for said firstauxiliary conduit means and forms an integral part of said module.
 29. Aprepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 21or 28and further including flexible second auxiliary conduit meansdefining a fluid pathway adapted for communication with a source offluid and communicating with said first conduit means upstream of saidoutwardly bowed portion thereof.
 30. A prepackaged, self-contained fluidcircuit module according to claim 29and further including a secondsealed container of fluid, wherein said second auxiliary conduit meansincludes an inlet portion integrally joined in flow communication withsaid second sealed container, and wherein said second sealed containercomprises the source of fluid for said second auxiliary conduit meansand forms an integral part of said module.
 31. A prepackaged,self-contained fluid circuit module according to claim 26 or 27andfurther includinga third fluid receiving receptacle, flexible thirdconduit means having an inlet portion joined in flow communication withsaid first fluid receiving receptacle and an outlet portion spacedtherefrom, and flexible fourth conduit means having an inlet portionjoined with said second fluid receiving receptacle and an outlet portionjoined in flow communication with said third fluid receiving receptacle,and wherein said support means is further operative for supporting aportion of said third conduit means intermediate said inlet and outletportions thereof within the confines of said hollow interior of saidhousing means.
 32. A prepackaged, self-contained fluid circuit moduleaccording to claim 31and further including a flexible sleeve commonlyenclosing a portion of each of said first, second, third and fourthconduit means adjacent to said respective fluid receiving receptacles,said enclosed portions of said first, second, third and fourth conduitmeans thereby forming an umbilicus carried outwardly of said housingmeans.